Steven Hyden

This book's title is tongue-in-cheek. If you take its claim seriously, then the point of the book passed you by,

Hyden knows that his book can no more explain the "meaning of life" than anyone can definitely settle the eternal Beatles vs Stones debate*, and that's the point. Through shrewd analysis of well-known (and lesser-known) pop music rivalries, he reveals prejudices, values, and viewpoints embedded in our musical preferences: it's never just a purely musical preference.

His writing show more style may seem meandering, and all chapters include digressions that do not (at first) relate to the chapter's pairing (Nirvana vs Pearl Jam, Taylor Swift vs Kanye West, Biggie vs Tupac, and more). These asides serve to demonstrate how popular music is deeply embedded in popular culture in ways that are not immediately obvious. He is self-deprecating about his own blind spots, which makes it easier for the reader to examine their own.

The book's dry wit is extremely engaging and often belies series subject matter-- in much the same way our arguments about Artist X vs Artist Y deflect from what values and beliefs we ourselves are defending. Hyden is an unabashed music geek, and, through the writing of this book, demonstrates that it's possible to cling to your particular fandom while also admitting that unswerving loyalty to a particular artist may tell us things about ourselves that we don't always acknowledge.

Recommended for: Gen-Xers/90s music lovers who have frequently been asked to change the subject when they start to defend or excoriate a particular artist.

*Stones, obviously. show less

This Isn't Happening isn't just the story of how Radiohead's "Kid A" was the apex of their continuing multi-decade long career and how the album encapsulated our pre-millennium anxieties. It also serves as a springboard for thinking about the history of rock music, the Internet, and the chaos we have lived through the past 20 years. Hyden asks: How can powerful and enigmatic works of art such as the album "Kid A" seemingly become a designated classic yet remain fresh and relevant at the same show more time? In this book length exegesis on Kid A, Hyden paints Radiohead as prophets of the future and unwilling representatives and ambassadors of the dying artform of rock n' roll. If you're fascinated by the music of Radiohead, enjoy cultural analysis, and are a Gen-X/Millennial member who remembers exactly where you were when the Twin Towers collapsed, this is the book for you. show less

Steven Hyden is younger than me, and from Wisconsin rather than New York; but his experience growing up with classic rock radio was the same as mine. This book is a wonderful celebration of that noble genre that will never die! Long live rock!

Seriously, the book starts really strong; and I can't resist any writing with such deep cuts about the Stones and Dylan. Hyden is obviously an essay writer; each chapter is an essay on a theme. Some are better than others, depending how much you care show more about the topic (e.g. Springsteen? meh).

It's very hard to imagine there was once a time when classic rock didn't exist yet, and terrifying to think there will come a day when it doesn't exist anymore. I've thought about that a lot myself... will anyone care about the Beatles decades, centuries from now? Will all this be lost, that which feels so timeless to us now?

Long live rock, be it dead or alive! show less

A more off-the-cuff Chuck Klosterman with an amazing record collection, Steven Hyden captures the meaning of deep fandom - of loving a band and hating their rival and how that is important, on a significant level that it normally wouldn't be. His writing is incredibly fun; the chapter on Pink Floyd sucked me in and I'm indifferent to that band. A worthwhile read that satisfied my music criticism itch.